Australia has approved more koala habitat clearing in 2025 than in any previous year since the marsupial's threatened species listing. An Australian Conservation Foundation analysis reveals 3,958 hectares of bush have been cleared, equivalent to four Sydney airports. This highlights the failure of current nature laws to protect koalas, despite their endangered status. Over 2.2 million hectares of likely koala habitat have been destroyed since 2011, primarily due to agriculture and logging. Proposed reforms to environmental laws aim to address this issue, but concerns remain about enforcement and loopholes.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.